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THE German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has attacked the
German-born Pope and become the first European leader to denounce
Benedict XVI's decision to re-embrace a British bishop who denies
the Holocaust.

Dr Merkel has broken with political tradition and demanded that
the Pontiff make "a very clear statement" to reject the
observations of Bishop Richard Williamson, who told a Swedish TV
program that he did not believe gas chambers existed or that 6
million Jews were murdered in Nazi concentration camps.

She rejected the Pontiff's statement last week apologising for
Bishop Williamson's comments, saying she did not believe that the
clarification was "sufficient". Newspapers in Italy noted her
intervention was significant as she could "hardly be described as a
left-winger sympathiser".

She told a press conference on Tuesday: "It is not usual for me
to take a position on internal matters for the Church. However,
this is an exception because we stand before a fundamental
question. It seems to me that it is of great significance if the
Vatican makes a decision that could diffuse the impression that a
denial of the Holocaust is possible."

The Chancellor's comments reflect a growing revolt within the
Catholic Church - and more particularly within the German hierarchy
- as more and more religious leaders express their horror at the
Pope's decision to rescind the excommunication of four
ultra-conservative bishops to mend a 20-year schism between
religious factions.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, head of the Pontifical Council for
Christian Unity, which oversees relations with Judaism, was
reported yesterday to have conceded the issue had been badly
managed and blamed "a lack of communication" inside the Vatican. A
group of German bishops took the unprecedented step of stating a
"loss of faith in the Pope" following the annulment of the
excommunications.

Cardinal Kasper's comments indicate growing tension inside the
Vatican over Pope Benedict's close interaction with the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - which he headed for
nearly two decades - and lack of discussion with other senior
leaders.

The Pope's press secretary, Father Lombardi, said the Pope's
thoughts on the issue of the Holocaust had been made clear on
several occasions. On January 28, he had made an unequivocal
statement denouncing any denial of the Holocaust.

Father Lombardi said: "He also made very clear on that occasion
that the rescinding of the excommunication had nothing to do with
legitimising any denial of the Holocaust - which he clearly and
categorically denounced."